30 h. ago What does China’s PLA gain from operating 2 carriers in second island chain?

In sending two aircraft carriers to the western Pacific concurrently for the first time, Beijing is learning to coordinate the vessels in open ocean, a tactic it would likely use to deter US forces in a Taiwan conflict, according to defence analysts. The two carriers – the Liaoning and Shandong – were spotted in the waters, having entered the western Pacific via separate courses over the past two weeks. They are believed to have practised dispersing, concentrating and communicating in the...

Politics

37 h. ago China steps up global aviation expansion as Comac bids for Laos carrier

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has reportedly bid to take a majority stake in the flag carrier of Laos, as the state-owned Chinese aviation firm continues its push to expand its market in Southeast Asia. The deal – which is pending approval by the Lao authorities – would see Comac help Lao Airlines overhaul its operations and stem its losses in exchange for the carrier agreeing to use the Chinese company’s passenger jets, Vientiane Times quoted Prime Minister Sonexay...

Politics

59 h. ago US Aircraft Carrier Holds 'Warfighting' Drills on China's Doorstep

US Aircraft Carrier Holds 'Warfighting' Drills on China's Doorstep  Newsweek

Events

67 h. ago China approves world’s biggest amphibious plane, AG600, for mass production

China’s home-grown AG600, the world’s largest amphibious aircraft, has been given the green light for mass production, marking a step forward in building an independent and globally competitive aviation industry. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) certified the plane on Wednesday, confirming that its developer, the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic), has established a reliable system to consistently produce aircraft that meet safety standards, according to...

Politics

3 d. ago China Releases Photos of Aircraft Carriers Beyond First Island Chain

China Releases Photos of Aircraft Carriers Beyond First Island Chain  Newsweek

Transport

4 d. ago China Deploys 2 Aircraft Carriers to Western Pacific for the First Time

China Deploys 2 Aircraft Carriers to Western Pacific for the First Time  USNI News

Transport

4 d. ago China Sends Two Aircraft Carriers Into the Pacific for the First Time

China Sends Two Aircraft Carriers Into the Pacific for the First Time  The New York Times

Transport

4 d. ago Satellite Photo Shows US Aircraft Carrier in Pacific Rivalry With China

Satellite Photo Shows US Aircraft Carrier in Pacific Rivalry With China  Newsweek

Transport

4 d. ago China’s Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers sail beyond second island chain

In an unprecedented show of strength, the Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong have been conducting exercises in the western Pacific Ocean beyond the second island chain, according to the Japanese defence ministry. In a statement on Monday, the ministry said the Shandong strike group was spotted earlier that day, conducting take-off and landing operations of its jet fighters and helicopters about 500km (311 miles) southwest of Iwo Jima and north of Okinotori. It followed the...

Transport

4 d. ago China Sends Two Aircraft Carriers Into Pacific Ocean in a First

China Sends Two Aircraft Carriers Into Pacific Ocean in a First  Bloomberg

Transport

4 d. ago China Challenges US Sea Power With Two Aircraft Carriers in West Pacific

China Challenges US Sea Power With Two Aircraft Carriers in West Pacific  Newsweek

Transport

4 d. ago Japan spots Chinese navy’s show of force in west Pacific amid maritime row

China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier has for the first time ventured into the easternmost edge of Japan’s exclusive economic zone, in what is seen as a show of force aimed at Tokyo, Washington and the broader region. The Liaoning – Beijing’s first aircraft carrier – and at least three accompanying warships were spotted on Saturday around 300km southwest of Minamitori, a remote Japanese island in the western Pacific, which serves as a bulwark for Tokyo to assert its maritime claims. The group, which...

Politics

4 d. ago Chinese Aircraft Carrier Operating Near Iwo Jima for First Time

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Operating Near Iwo Jima for First Time  USNI News

Transport

5 d. ago Japan confirms China's aircraft carrier sailed east of Iwo Jima for first time

Japan confirms China's aircraft carrier sailed east of Iwo Jima for first time  Reuters

Transport

7 d. ago U.S. engine and component ban poised to cripple China’s commercial aircraft manufacturing

U.S. engine and component ban poised to cripple China’s commercial aircraft manufacturing  The Air Current

Politics

8 d. ago Philippines aims to counter China’s drone swarm capacity, learn from Ukraine war

The Philippine military is ramping up efforts to enhance its drone offensive capabilities and countermeasures amid growing concerns over China potentially using waves of such unmanned aircraft to assert its claims in contested waters. As part of this push, Philippine and US forces recently tested high-powered microwave weapons during the Balikatan 2025 exercises, designed to neutralise so-called drone swarms. The Philippine military has also begun using Israeli-made intelligence, surveillance...

Events

9 d. ago Car carrier sailing from China carrying EVs catches fire in Pacific Ocean

Car carrier sailing from China carrying EVs catches fire in Pacific Ocean  CnEVPost

Events

9 d. ago China shifts focus to Europe, orders Airbus aircraft amid U.S. tensions

China shifts focus to Europe, orders Airbus aircraft amid U.S. tensions  Chosunbiz

Events

2 w. ago China’s overtures a ‘pointed signal’ to stabilise ties with Japan: analysts

China has made a string of subtle yet telling overtures towards Japan in recent weeks – from removing controversial maritime buoys to easing a politically charged seafood import ban – in what observers see as a tactical recalibration rather than a true reset in bilateral ties. On Thursday, Japan’s government confirmed that China had dismantled the second of two oceanographic buoys it had installed without Tokyo’s consent within Japan’s exclusive economic zone near Okinawa. The following day, it...

Politics

2 w. ago US export controls: a delay, but not a grounding, for China’s aircraft engines

Washington’s technology-export restrictions targeting Chinese plane makers this week will delay China’s jet engine indigenisation process in the near term, but any setback will only harden resolve in Beijing for tech self-reliance to test and launch a home-grown engine, analysts said on Friday. United States officials have reportedly suspended some sales of technologies linked to jet engines that could be built for Chinese state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China’s (Comac) civilian...

Politics